- 23 Oct, 2024
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The Neuroscience of Fairness: Why Fairness Matters More Than You Think
Fairness isn’t just a moral compass or a social construct; it is deeply ingrained in our brains. Neuroscience reveals that our sense of fairness is intricately connected to how our brain processes rewards and threats. Understanding this can have profound implications for leadership, neuroleadership, and creating productive workplaces.
How the Brain Reacts to Fairness and Unfairness
Fairness triggers a reward response in the brain, while unfairness activates threat centers. When we perceive fairness, the striatum—a region of the brain associated with rewards—lights up, giving us a feeling of satisfaction. This is why even small acts of fairness make us feel good. On the other hand, the anterior insula, a part of the brain linked with strong negative emotions like disgust, becomes active when we encounter unfairness. This reaction is the same whether it’s a major political injustice or a coworker misspelling our name—it’s not always the size of the slight, but the principle behind it that causes a visceral reaction.
Interestingly, Professor Stephen Pinker offers an evolutionary perspective on why fairness is so fundamental to us. In ancient times, when food could not be stored for long periods, sharing surplus food was a wise survival strategy—the other person’s mind essentially became a storage place for future reciprocity. This need for efficient trade meant that fairness became a cornerstone for cooperation and survival, especially in difficult times where sharing big protein sources after a successful hunt made more sense. This also meant that detecting those who would take advantage—or “cheaters”—was crucial. Fairness evolved as a way to ensure social cooperation and survival, creating both a biological and social imperative.
Fairness and Its Emotional Impact
Unfairness evokes powerful emotional responses because it activates the limbic system, the part of the brain involved in emotional arousal. When this happens, our rational thinking becomes compromised, often leaving us angry or riled up. Such reactions make it difficult to think clearly or make creative decisions. Fairness, on the other hand, activates brain pathways that are associated with positive emotions and a sense of reward, encouraging cooperation and productivity.
In modern workplaces, unfairness can have tangible effects on morale and creativity. Research from David Rock (2010) points out that fair workplaces are productive workplaces. When employees feel they are treated fairly, the reward systems of their brains are activated, which in turn fosters engagement, motivation, and collaboration.
Coping with the Feeling of Unfairness
What does fairness in the workplace actually look like? Fairness in the workplace means treating employees impartially and striving for transparency. It involves creating open communication channels, promoting equitable opportunities, and acknowledging individual differences while ensuring consistency wherever possible. It’s important for leaders to build a culture that encourages transparency and trust, which leads to higher engagement and productivity.
Unfairness makes us so emotional because it triggers the limbic system in the brain, which is responsible for emotional responses. When we perceive unfair treatment, the anterior insula is activated, evoking strong emotions such as disgust and anger. These emotional responses can make it challenging to think rationally, often impairing decision-making and fostering a sense of threat.
Fairness impacts workplace productivity by activating the brain’s reward centers, particularly the striatum, leading to higher levels of motivation, collaboration, and creativity. Employees who feel they are treated fairly are more engaged, which leads to better overall productivity. Fair treatment also reduces emotional distress, allowing people to focus more effectively on their work.
One powerful tool to counteract the intense feelings of unfairness is reappraisal. Reappraisal is about consciously reframing the situation—trying to understand the other person’s perspective or seeing the situation in a different light. This works best when applied early, before emotional arousal reaches a peak. Additionally, being mindful of your emotional state—especially when stressed or tired—can prevent minor incidents from disproportionately upsetting you.
From an evolutionary perspective, fairness evolved as a key mechanism for social cooperation and survival. In early human societies, sharing resources was essential, especially when food couldn’t be stored. Fairness ensured efficient trade and reciprocity, and detecting cheaters was crucial for community survival. This need for equitable exchanges has shaped our deep-rooted sense of fairness today.
Neuroleadership plays an important role in applying these insights to leadership practices. Leaders who understand how the brain reacts to fairness can create more equitable work environments, which enhances team performance and morale. By recognizing and mitigating perceptions of unfairness, leaders can reduce stress and foster a more collaborative atmosphere.
The world is inherently competitive, and feelings of unfairness are common. Learning how to effectively manage these feelings can have significant benefits in both your career and personal life. If we believe that a perceived injustice can be corrected, these emotions can act as fuel, motivating us to take action. But it’s important to know when to disengage: fixating on unfairness for too long can lead to chronic stress, decreased productivity, and even social missteps that are difficult to recover from.
This is especially true when we’re tired or stressed. In these states, minor incidents can disproportionately upset us, triggering a strong reaction from our limbic system that may not align with the actual significance of the situation. By being mindful of our emotional state and practicing reappraisal, we can navigate unfairness in a more balanced way.
Fairness and Leadership: The Path to a Productive Workplace
Leaders play a critical role in shaping perceptions of fairness within their teams. Neuroleadership—the application of neuroscience insights to leadership—highlights the importance of creating environments where fairness is a priority. When fairness becomes a cornerstone of workplace culture, it not only activates reward mechanisms in individuals but also fosters collective well-being and productivity. Leaders who understand the neuroscience of fairness can help their teams thrive by minimizing perceived injustices, encouraging fair treatment, and promoting open communication.
Fairness doesn’t just feel good; it creates real, tangible outcomes. Fair workplaces see improved collaboration, reduced conflict, and higher levels of creativity. By understanding and leveraging the brain’s response to fairness, leaders can create environments where everyone can perform at their best—turning fairness into not just an ethical imperative, but a strategic advantage.
Key Takeaway
Fairness is more than just an ethical choice—it’s a fundamental need for the brain, affecting both individual well-being and group productivity. Leaders who understand this dynamic can transform their workplaces into spaces of high morale, collaboration, and success. Balancing fairness while managing emotions effectively can be a game-changer in both leadership and personal development.
Reference: Rock, David (2010): Your brain at work: Strategies for overcoming distraction, regaining focus, and working smarter all day long. In Journal of Behavioral Optometry 21 (5), p. 130.